Swearingen’s family and friends had described the teen as bubbly, beautiful, trusting and stubborn. A few said she was someone who was trying to find her bearings and earn her GED after a difficult childhood that included living in foster homes. They don’t know how Swearingen came in contact with Marcus, but they vehemently dispute Marcus’s statement to detectives that he paid Swearingen for sex over the course of two years.

Swearingen was last seen July 12, 2012, and was reported missing on July 18, 2012. On July 21, a manager at the Money Save Mini Storage at 19215 N.E. Halsey Street opened one of the storage units after other customers were complaining of an odor. The manager discovered a single plastic tub with a lid on it, and called police.

Investigators found surveillance video of Marcus -- who is a distinctive 5-foot-11-inches tall and 360 pounds -- buying the plastic tub. They also found paperwork showing he'd rented the storage unit. Investigators say it was for the sole purpose of stashing Swearingen's body.

State medical examiner Dr. Karen Gunson determined Swearingen died of homicidal violence, but Gunson wasn’t able to determine the exact method used. She ruled out a gunshot, a stabbing, a drug overdose and other causes of death. Gunson suspected that Swearingen was strangled to death with a cloth.

If Marcus qualifies for time off for good behavior in prison, he could be released after 15 ½ years. But by then, he might not be alive given his poor health and damage he’s done to his body through drug use, said Deputy District Attorney Donald Rees.

Rees said his office and Swearingen’s family talked about that before attorneys from both sides submitted the terms of the plea agreement to Judge Kenneth Walker.

During the sentencing hearing, Swearingen’s younger sister described her as “the perfect big sister.” She added that she was saddened by the thought of never getting to be the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding, plan her sister’s baby shower or grow old with her.

Swearingen’s aunt said her niece was too trusting of people and described her as a “good human being.”

Swearingen’s aunt and sister embraced for a while, then left the courtroom in tears.